Title: Heterogeneity and work teams

Authors: Lata Dyaram, T.J. Kamalanabhan

Addresses: Department of Management Studies, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, Chennai 600036, India. ' Department of Management Studies, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, Chennai 600036, India

Abstract: This paper attempts to extend and contribute to the domestic diversity literature by presenting a comprehensive model that takes into consideration the Indian work set up. It proposes to examine the effects of the composition of information systems development teams in Indian firms. Besides the conventional demographics which were studied extensively so far, the model proposes that heterogeneity mainly in terms of language, region, religion and caste among others, would be significant correlates of individual and team outcomes. Apart from these atypical demographics, the model highlights the knowledge heterogeneity and deeper underlying differences. Moreover, the future findings may be notably promising and stronger than those of the existing team diversity studies in its contribution as knowledge and underlying diversity is being explored along with demographic diversity unlike most of the diversity literature which assumed that demographic diversity necessarily breeds differences in knowledge base and thinking styles.

Keywords: team diversity; team heterogeneity; work teams; teamwork; India; information systems; language; region; religion; caste; demographic diversity.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLC.2008.023181

International Journal of Learning and Change, 2008 Vol.3 No.2, pp.163 - 176

Published online: 13 Feb 2009 *

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